Sodium Chloride is administrated by intravenous infusion in the treatment of extracellular volume
depletion, dehydration and sodium depletion which may occur for instance following excessive
dieresis, gastro-enteritis or salt restriction.

Method of administration:
Intravenous infusion route.
Adults, the Elderly, Adolescents and Children:
The dosage and rate of administration of Sodium Chloride 0.9% w/v Solution for Infusion is
determined by several factors including the age, weight, and clinical condition of the patient and in
particular the patient’s hydration state.
Posology:
Adults, Elderly and Children
Doses may be expressed in terms of mEq or mmol of sodium, mass of sodium, or mass of sodium
salt (1 g NaCl = 394 mg, 17.1 mEq or 17.1 mmol of Na and Cl).

The concentration and dosage of sodium chloride solution for intravenous use is determined by
several factors including the age, weight, and clinical condition of the patient and in particular the
patient's hydration state. Serum-electrolyte concentrations should be carefully monitored.
The recommended dosage for treatment of isotonic extracellular dehydration and sodium depletion
is:
- For adults: 500 ml to 3Liters /24h
- For babies and children: 20 to 100 ml per 24 h and per kg of body weight, depending on the age
and the total body mass.
The infusion rate depends on the patient clinical condition.
The recommended dosage when used as a vehicle or diluent ranges from 50 to 250 ml per dose of
medicinal product to be administered.
When sodium chloride 0.9% is used as a diluent for injectable preparations of other drugs, the
dosage and the infusion rate will be principally dictated by the nature and the dose regimen of the
prescribed drug.

Precautions for use
0.9%w/v Sodium Chloride Injection should be used with great care, if at all, in patients with
congestive heart failure, severe renal insufficiency, and clinical states in which there exists oedema
with sodium retention.
In patients with diminished renal function, administration of Sodium Chloride Injection may result
in sodium retention.
General precautions for IV administration
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior
to administration whenever solution and container permit. Do not administer unless solution is
clear and seal is intact.

Do not connect flexible plastic containers of intravenous solution in series, i.e., do not piggyback
connections. Such use could result in air embolism due to residual air being drawn from one
container before administration of the fluid from a secondary container is completed.
Pressurizing intravenous solutions contained in flexible plastic containers to increase flow rates
can result in air embolism if the residual air in the container is not fully evacuated prior to
administration.
Use of a vented intravenous administration set with the vent in the open position could result in air
embolism. Vented intravenous administration sets with the vent in the open position should not be
used with flexible plastic containers.

Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Caution must be exercised in the administration of Sodium Chloride Injection to patients receiving
corticosteroids or corticotrophin.

Pregnancy: category C
Teratogenic effects It is not recorded whether Sodium Chloride Injection can cause fatal harm
when administered to a pregnant woman can affect reproduction capacity. Sodium Chloride
Injection BP should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
Nursing Mothers:
It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in
human milk, caution should be exercised when Sodium Chloride Injection BP is administered to a
nursing woman.

Not relevant.

Reactions which may occur because of the solution or the technique of administration include
febrile response, infection at the site of injection, venous thrombosis or phlebitis extending from
the site of injection, extravasation and hypervolemia.
The physician should also be alert to the possibility of adverse reactions to drug additives.
Prescribing information for drug additives to be administered in this manner should be consulted.

Symptoms may result from an excess or deficit of one or more of the ions present in the solution;
therefore, frequent monitoring of electrolyte levels is essential.
Hypernatremia may be associated with oedema and exacerbation of congestive heart failure due to
the retention of water, resulting in an expanded extracellular fluid volume.
If infused in large amounts, chloride ions may cause a loss of bicarbonate ions, resulting in an
acidifying effect. If an adverse reaction does occur, discontinue the infusion, evaluate the patient,
institute appropriate therapeutic countermeasures, and save the remainder of the fluid for
examination if deemed necessary.
If the patient is over 65 years of age or very young he may has an increased chance of getting side
effects.

An overdose of sodium chloride can result in side effects.
• nausea, vomiting
• cramps
• diarrhea
• decrease in saliva, tears and urination
• increase in thirst and sweating
• increase in heart rate
• dizziness, light headedness, drowsiness, restlessness or irritability increase in thirst and
sweating
• swelling of hands ankles and feet
• headache
• difficulty breathing or breathlessness which may worsen when lying down
• Muscle weakness, twitching, rigidity or convulsions.
Emergency measures
In the event of a fluid or solute overload during parenteral therapy, revaluate the patient's condition
and initiate appropriate corrective treatment.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Parenteral Preparation for fluid and electrolyte imbalance Sodium
Chloride Injections B.P. provides electrolytes and a source of water for hydration. They are
capable of inducing dieresis depending on the clinical condition of the patient. Sodium, the major
action of the extracellular fluid, functions primarily in the control of water distribution, fluid
balance, and osmotic pressure of body fluids. Sodium is also associated with chloride and
bicarbonate in the regulation of the acid-base equilibrium of body fluid. Chloride, the major

balance of the body are reflected by changes in the chloride concentration.
Pharmacotherapeutic group Code: B05XA003

Excess sodium is mainly excreted by the kidney, and small amounts are lost in the faeces and
sweat.
Special populations:
Hepatic impairment:
Select dosage with extreme caution in liver cirrhosis
Renal insufficiency:
Select dosage with extreme caution in diminished renal function or severe renal insufficiency;
monitor sodium concentrations
Elderly subjects:
Select dosage with caution, usually initiating at the lower end of the usual range, because of agerelated
decreases in hepatic, renal, and/or cardiac function and of concomitant disease or drug
therapy.

Not relevant

Water for injection

Many injectable drugs cannot be mixed together with 0.9% sodium chloride, as some drugs cannot
be safely diluted. Incompatibility can involve in precipitation, ionic reactions, evolution of gas and
denaturation of biological molecules.
Knowledge of added drug compatibility is needed before mixing drugs.
If drugs mixed together, the mixture should be inspected for precipitations, turbidity or change in
colour, however not all incompatibilities are visible.

Store below 25 °C.

Before administration, the product should be visually inspected for any particulate matter and
discoloration.
For single use only.
Any unused solution should be discarded.